# Chapter 3. What is KDE?

# 3.1. What is KDE?

KDE is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for Unix workstations. It was written by a world-wide network of software engineers committed to free software development.

KDE seeks to fill the need for an easy to use desktop for Unix workstations, similar to the desktop environments found under the MacOS or Window95/NT. We believe that the Unix operating system is the best operating system available today. In fact Unix has been the undisputed choice of the information technology professional for many years. When it comes to stability, scalability and openness there is no competition to Unix. However, the lack of an easy to use contemporary desktop environment for Unix has prevented Unix from finding its way onto the desktops of the typical computer user in offices and homes. Unix dominates the server market and is the preferred computing platform for computing professional and scientists. Without Unix the internet would not be. But Unix did not address the needs of the average computer user. This fact is particularly unfortunate since a number of implementations of Unix (Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, etc) are freely available on the internet. All of which are of exceptional quality and stability.